| Volume 87 Number 7 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
A landlord has an obligation to change the locks on your doors whenever you request it. You may be charged the cost of making the change, but no additional fees.
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Government Profits Big on Student Loans
This year, the federal government expects to make a record $50 billion in student loan profits.
To put the profits in perspective, ExxonMobil made $44.8 billion last year, making it the most profitable company in the United States.
If the legislature doesn't act before July 1, student loan rates will spike. If they do, expect the government to pull in an additional $21 billion next year.
The record high profits on student loans have come during a period of record low interest rates. Could that change over time if interest rates jump?
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10 States With the Most Natural Disasters
With the recent storms and tornado's in Oklahoma, many people around the nation are wondering if they're safe from Mother Nature. With the National Hurricane Center predicting an active hurricane season, the country may be in for even more natural disasters before the year's end.
Do you live in a disaster prone state?
Check out the ten states with the most natural disasters.
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Facebook: 10K Government Requests
According to an attorney for Facebook, the United States government made 10,000 requests for user information and data in the last six months of 2012.
Facebook would like to release additional information about the requests, but the federal government has yet to approve the request.
Facebook, Google, and Microsoft have teamed up to pressure the government to eliminate the gag order on government surveillance.
Why is the government after personal information on social networks?
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Your Money
How long should you keep your vehicle?
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For the Lawyers
HOLA doesn’t preempt fraud claim against lender. The Fourth Circuit held that federal consumer protection law does not completely preempt state-law claims brought by a plaintiff who was allegedly fraudulently induced into accepting a home loan. The plaintiff sued, arguing that her mortgage contract was unconscionable and that her lender fraudulently induced her into accepting the loan by misrepresenting the market value of her property. The lender argued that the plaintiff’s state-law unconscionability claims were completely preempted by the federal Home Owners’ Loan Act. The court found that the plaintiff’s fraud claim was not preempted because it fell within the scope of the Act’s exception for tort claims that only incidentally affect lending operations.
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